Soccer Heads to Birmingham to Face UAB
8/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 21, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team will head to Birmingham to face its second straight in-state opponent of the weekend. The Crimson Tide will meet the Blazers on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. at West Campus Field.
Last Time Out
Alabama opened the 2010 season on the right foot as it earned a 2-1 decision over Samford in the season opener Friday night. The Crimson Tide avenged a 3-0 loss from last year's meeting with the Bulldogs by handing Samford just its second loss in two seasons. Senior Brooke Rogers put the Tide on the board in just the fourth minute off a Veronika Wolfkeil assist and senior Rosaly Petriello buried a penalty kick to snap a five match losing streak. Junior goalkeeper Justine Bernier made a game-high nine saves.
Who to Watch
Alabama senior forward Brooke Rogers put the Crimson Tide on the right track in 2010 as she found the back of the net on the first shot attempt of the season. Rogers connected on a one-touch volley off a cross from Veronika Wolfkeil to give the Tide a 1-0 advantage just four minutes into the contest. The senior enters Sunday's fixture against UAB with nine career goals and will be playing in her 59th match of her career.
Scouting UAB
The UAB Blazers also started its season on Friday but fell in its opener 5-1 to SEC foe Vanderbilt at home. The Commodores took a 4-0 advantage in the first half and then sealed the win with another in the second frame. The Blazers could only muster four shots on the day with Laura McCalla connecting for a goal on one of her two attempts. The Blazers return 15 letterwinners, including eight starters, from last year's 11-7-3 squad. The 2010 team also features nine new faces. All-Conference USA performers Marie Yempuku and Tiffini Turpin lead the way for the Blazers. Yempuku, a senior defender, also earned all-region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) last year after anchoring a back line that produced seven shutouts. Additionally, Yempuku scored a pair of goals and chipped in an assist. Turpin led the team with five goals, including four game-winners.
Series History
Alabama has faced off against its in-state opponent 10 times with UAB holding a 7-2-1 all-time advantage. The Crimson Tide has lost its last five matches to the Blazers, including a 2-0 defeat in the season opener at home last season. Tiffini Turpin and Danya Barsalona scored goals for the Blazers, with Barsalona also handing out an assist on the Turpin tally.
Scoring Chances
Alabama entered the season opener without finding the net in five straight matches dating back to the 2009 season. In the 2010 opener the Crimson Tide showed no signs of a goal-shortage as it found the net twice, including the first tally in just the first four minutes of the match. Alabama scored just 14 goals a year ago, but including the exhibition contests this season, the Tide has netted eight goals in three matches in 2010.
Attendance Record
In the 2010 season opener Alabama set a new single game program record with 1,284 fans in attendance. The mark broke the old record of 1,252 fans set against Mississippi State on Oct. 3, 2008. The Alabama Soccer Stadium features a new look in 2010 as it showcases one of the largest video boards in the country and new signage and graphics throughout the complex.
Next Time Out
Alabama will return home to face Furman in its only match of the week. The two teams will meet on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. The match will be aired on TideTV with Jordan Eichenblatt and former Tide standout Alex Butera calling the action.
